One can hardly blame Barack Obama for opting out of publicly financing his campaign for President of the United States. After all, Jesus was only tempted with all the kingdoms of the earth if he would worship Satan. Obama ’s temptation was winning the presidency at the expense of his image as a truthtelling agent of change and new political messiah.

I think Obama is getting much the better of the deal.

Look at it this way. The Obamabots could care less what their candidate says or does. He could be caught tomorrow in a bathtub, naked, with Larry Sinclair, puffing away on a crack pipe while getting serviced by 3 Boy Scouts and 2 altar boys and they’d still think he was the bee’s knees. And while his political foes have gone ballistic over the flip flop on public financing, most of us would hit the ceiling if he walked on a crack on a sidewalk, hysterically accusing him of wanting to break his mother’s back.

It is the 30% or so of voters in the middle that matter as far as this imbroglio is concerned. And the American people, being eminently practical (and recognizing a good thing when they see it) will probably not think much of Obama breaking his promise to accept public financing. First and foremost, the voter today is a pretty cynical creature and they don’t believe too many promises from any politician - even if he claims to be the human manifestation of goodness and truthfulness. But beyond that, I don’t think that 30% would trust anyone who turned down what Obama is getting by eschewing federal financing; somewhere around $250 million. They would look strangely indeed at anyone stupid enough to keep a promise made months ago at the expense of winning the presidency.

This, after all, is the real reason Obama is going for his own little Fort Knox rather than sticking to his principles and taking his money from government. It would be the biggest mistake in the history of American politics if Obama had stuck by his guns and taken the federal funding route. Imagine if he had taken the public financing and then lost. The Democrats would be beside themselves and Obama’s name would be mud.

Going the private funding route is the safe play, the easy play, and dare I say it, the winning play. John McCain is going to hardly know what hit him. He will be outspent 3-1 at every level. Already Obama is flexing his muscles by running ads in Alaska, Montana, and Georgia - three states, not coincidentally, that Libertarian candidate Bob Barr expects to make his best showings. The thinking is that Barr can siphon enough votes away from McCain to make Obama more than competitive in a three way race. Personally, I think they’re wasting their time with Alaska and Montana - probably even Barr’s home state of Georgia as well. But the point isn’t so much to win those states as to force McCain to defend them - with the limited resources he will have available to him because McCain will indeed find it necessary to accept public financing of his campaign.

Every red state they force McCain to defend means less money the Republican candidate can spend in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio. Eventually, the McCain camp will be faced with the horrible strategy of writing off states like New Mexico and Nevada while pouring his limited resources into just a few battleground states, hoping against hope that the rest of his base can remain relatively solid.

There is already talk in the McCain camp of an election day scenario in which their candidate wins enough electoral votes but loses badly in the popular vote - perhaps by as much as 3 million votes. By September, that may be the official strategy.

Despite the obvious advantages for Obama in taking private money for the campaign - advantages that any half wit can see - the candidate decided to give the most bizarre and certainly the most dishonest explanation for turning down federal funds:

“We’ve made the decision not to participate in the public financing system for the general election,” Obama says in the video, blaming it on the need to combat Republicans, saying “we face opponents who’ve become masters at gaming this broken system. John McCain’s campaign and the Republican National Committee are fueled by contributions from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs. And we’ve already seen that he’s not going to stop the smears and attacks from his allies running so-called 527 groups, who will spend millions and millions of dollars in unlimited donations.”

Amazing. Obama is really getting the hang of this lying thing. Of course, he’s had a lot of practice lately so perhaps it shouldn’t surprise us.

It is disingenuous in the extreme for Obama to complain about the RNC getting PAC and “special interest” money when his own campaign will raise $50 million from big donors:

Michael Coles, a former Clinton fund-raiser from Atlanta, said in an interview that he was one of 20 to 30 Clinton supporters who joined Mr. Obama’s national finance committee at a meeting on Thursday in Chicago. Members of the committee have each pledged to raise $250,000 for Mr. Obama.

People from both camps said they expected most of Mrs. Clinton’s top fund-raisers to align behind Mr. Obama, and that they could raise at least $50 million for him.

That $50 million will be about 25% of his total haul. Who does Obama think these fat cats and heavy hitters who will be raising this cash are? They are hardly Joe Blow Democrat who worship at the altar of Obama. These gimlet eyed men and women are giving money not out the goodness of their hearts but because they expect something in return. If there is another definition of “special interest” I haven’t heard it.

But the real whopper in Obama’s statement - the real nose grower is that he must refuse to take federal financing because Republican 527 groups will raise “millions and millions” of dollars to smear him.

I know Obama has been busy lately and perhaps has not had time to catch up with the news, but it’s been known for months that the GOP 527 effort is a shadow of what the Democrats are going to throw at McCain:

Obama’s alarmist prophecy — a bit of typical campaign rhetoric meant to scare his own donors into reaching for their credit cards — is wildly at odds with the flatlined state of conservative third-party efforts.

The truth is that, less than five months before Election Day, there are no serious anti-Obama 527s in existence nor are there any immediate plans to create such a group.

Conversations with more than a dozen Republican strategists find near unanimity in the belief that, at some point, there will be a real third-party effort aimed at Obama.

But not one knows who will run it, who will pay for it, what shape it will eventually take or when such a group may form.

More worrisome for Republicans who believe such an outside attack apparatus is essential to defeating Obama, some key individuals and groups who were being looked to for help say they won’t be involved.

Obama’s 527 worries are a mirage - or more likely - an out and out lie that he had no reason to tell. Why not just say “Look folks, I want to win. It would be stupid to forgo the opportunity my brilliant fundraising has given me. And you don’t want a stupid president, do you?”

I daresay Obama would have impressed a helluva lot of people if he had said something like that rather than raise the canard of evil Republicans plotting to smear him.

One amusing sidelight to this story is the way the New York Times reported it. It’s almost as if the left hand didn’t know what the far-left hand was doing.

Public financing, which Mr. McCain has indicated he would accept, limits spending to $84.1 million in the general election. Mr. Obama expects he can raise three or four times that. He insists he needs the larger flow to hold off unscrupulous Republican “masters at gaming this broken system” via separate party funds and Swift Boat-style smear campaigns.

Mr. Obama’s power to excite average donations of less than $100 also is admirable, and his concerns about his opponent are understandable. The Republican Party is raising a great deal of money, and shadow groups known as 527s have tens of millions to spend. Mr. McCain knows the power of these groups since they slimed him out of the 2000 Republican primaries. Now that he’s the presumptive nominee, however, he is inviting them into the fray on his behalf.

Mr. McCain has been highly critical in the past of 527s and other independent groups, but he seems to have softened his rhetoric lately, saying his campaign could not be expected to “referee” such groups.

Nevertheless, Republican strategists said many affluent donors who might be in a position to finance 527 groups were wary this time because of the legal headaches that bedeviled many of these groups after the 2004 election, as well as the possibility they might incur the wrath of Mr. McCain.

And I always thought there was no difference between the Times editorial page and its news reports. Guess I was wrong.

When all is said and done, this issue - like all issues that reflect badly on Obama - will quietly die, Obama’s falsehoods and hypocrisy just a distant memory. And the press can go back to its non-stop, full court Obamamania that is turning this election into a farce.

Meanwhile, Obama will have more money than God and will win this election in a walk.

By: Rick Moran at 9:36 am

22 Responses to “CHANGE WE CAN LIE ABOUT”

1

Joe Said:
11:45 am

–Meanwhile, Obama will have more money than God and will win this election in a walk.–

Rick,

Do you really think Obama will win in a walk or was this some sort of attempt at snark?

He outspent Hillary in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky, and she still won. Hell, he outspent her 3 to 1 in Ohio and Penn and she still won by almost 10 points in both states. He will have a ton of money, but they will be spending some money on states that are usually safe for them, such as New Jersey, California, and Michigan. And these three states have more expensive media markets than Aklaska and Montana. Those are two very cheap states to run ads in. If he ever has to defend the east or west coast Dem stronghold states, he’ll need that cash. The money won’t be everything on this race.

2

MarkJ Said:
11:50 am

Okay, given everything said above, you don’t suppose Obama’s sugar daddies and mommies would be so audacious as to expect, y’know, some real value for their money?

I think this actually bodes real problems for Obama if (Saints Preserve Us!) he gets elected. Come January 2010, after His Obamajesty has eloquently explained why his 43rd “nuanced adjustment” of his campaign promises is so unlike the previous 42, his erstwhile, and very disappointed, backers will be loudly muttering, “A sh** sandwich is still a sh** sandwich even if it’s topped off with chipotle sauce, served on a poppy-seed bun, and served by the biggest-breasted gal at Hooters.”

3

DrKrbyLuv Said:
12:20 pm

First, let me say that I think it is absolutely just that John McCain will be skewered with the sword that he crafted; McCain-Feingold. The ever corrupt and narcissistic McCain was paid by George Soros to deliver campaign finance. McCain sold out despite the fact that the bill violated free speech and hurt the GOP.

Your article begs a bigger question. If McCain can’t win, shouldn’t the GOP select a more viable candidate? Under what circumstances can the GOP legally dump a candidate?

4

jambrowski Said:
12:40 pm

rick,
nice article, i was wondering if you could speak to the involvement of 527’s a bit more in this campaign. obviously soro’s and company have already begun their slime battle against mccain, will obama condemn this type of crappola while still complaining about the so called whisper campaign against him? if he doesn’t will it hurt him? how will it hurt him most.
527’s effects are tricky, and can easily backfire. the swiftboats were credible in that they actually served with kerry, moveon uses focus groups and visuals that are sometimes just downright lude, crude, and rude, i wonder if the latest one with the gal and her child and the hundred year war comment were anymore than just actors.
oh well, you will probably come back to it, thanks for this article and the latest one in pajamas, keep up the good work.

[...] of the Day - Possible Quote of the Year Rick Moran at Right Wing Nuthouse has a great one at the start of his article on the Obamamessiah’s decision to haul in the [...]

6

Michael B. Said:
2:38 pm

Boumediene vs. Bush is possibly the most dangerous ruling in the history of SCOTUS. Scalia is correct, that American citizens will die as a result of this ruling. And if you think that ruling is bad, just wait until President Obama appoints 2 or 3 more pathetic fools like Souter- it is quite possible that your life will change DRAMATICALLY.

I believe this to the core of my soul: the greatest threat from an Obama presidency is his judicial nominations. So as much as we don’t like McCain, it is imperative for conservatives to pull together and start supporting him. As a minimum, we need to avoid losing in a landslide, which the democrats will claim is a “mandate”.

So let’s all stop bitching, whining, complaining, and criticising our man. He’s not perfect… he’s really not even good, but he’s all we’ve got, so let’s support him. Write him a check today, or keep your f*cking mouth shut when they swear in that corrupt, socialist asshole.

Your an ass. John McCain should be in a nursing home. He is the last person I would vote for and I have never voted anything but Republican. The Republican party has turned into a mean spirited, Bible thumping bunch of money grubbers, who supported Bush in his rape of this country. My dog would make a better President.

Did you mean “You’re” an ass?” Generally, I find that people who are too stupid to know the difference between “your” and “you’re” should not be commenting on websites where their ignorance will be on display for thousands of people to see.

“some so-called “conservatives” complaining about someone opting out of a “public [...]”

The public financing comes from individual taxpayers voluntarily checking the box on their tax return to assign $1 or $2 to the pool, no tax dollars are forceably shunted to the fund.

Interestingly enough, the GOP average donation size historically been far smaller that those received by the Democrats. Much more a populist funding than all the received wisdom touted by the MSM would lead you to believe.

12

DrKrbyLuv Said:
5:58 pm

Phylis - (Post #7)

I wouldn’t agree that Rick’s an ass, but I agree McCain belongs in a geriatric center, not the Whitehouse. That cantankerous old coot will whine for days now that Obama rubbed his nose in the dog crap that is McCain-Feingold.

McCain is like Woody Hayes, you never know when he’s going off next.
______________________________________________________________________________

RegularRon - (Post #8)

Well said - couldn’t agree more.

And we aren’t alone; according to a June 19, 2008 Fox report, 42% of Democrats are “very satisfied” with their candidate while only 12% of Republicans say the same thing.

The McCain apologists are motivated by a party loyalty that trumps good sense.

13

HE HATE ME Said:
5:59 pm

Just lovely- “succeeding in politics by PRETENDING to renounce
politics. Even Bill Clinton wasn’t smart enough to succeed in politics by pretending to renounce it.”

NYTimes David Brooks opines about the two Obamas- Doctor Barack and Fast Eddie Obama. The Chicago way triumphs. Wake up America. On the other hand, if the masses buy into what Olberdouche, Chrissie “my pecker gets hard for Obama” Matthews, Jon Stewart and other elite media worshippers of B. Hussein spew, then let them live with the consequences.

Drluv…If we arent alone, why is it when I come to some of these “big blogs” that I’m reading a press release from the RNC.

It really boggles my mind that we have so-called conservatives complaining about this. Yes I do know it’s the “check box at the top of the tax form” but still, it’s PUBLIC MONEY ie TAXES. And for someone to call themself a Conservative, and to defend this, has lost there mind. We should be applauding Sen. B.O. for doing something conservative, in an other wise not to much father to the left than Sen. McCain.

But, it’s all about “the team”. The Republican party team. I hate to use this quote but, I didn’t leave the Republican party, the Republican party left me.

Hey dumbass - read the damn post. I nowhere defend the use of tax money for campaigns., The entire focus of the article - if you could read it - was the broken promise of Obama and an analysis of why he would be crazy to take public money. The fact that he said he would take the money and has now opted out - for reasons having nothing to do with conservative values, idiot. He wants PUBLIC FINANCING OF ALL ELECTIONS dork. Or are you such an ignoramous that you didn’t know that?

[...] MORE: Webloggin calls out Obama on lies! So does Hot Air! Wake up America does, too! As does the Right Wing Nut House! [...]

17

MikeDevx Said:
9:45 pm

I couldn’t care less about public financing of elections. If you can raise more money than public financing provides, do it. If you can’t, go the cheap public financing route.

What’s troubling is not that Obama chose his own fundraising, nor that he reneged on an earlier promise made when he was a dark horse candidate. What’s troubling is the deception he offered about why he did it.

Obama has a CHANCE - just a chance - to remake the electoral map with a high-powered campaign. The American people seem willing to give our socialist, tree-hugging, America-hating leftist Democrats their chance to rule us via the Executive, Legislative, and Anthony-Kennedy led 5-4 Supreme Court. Obama would be insane to pass up this chance.

If McCain had the fund-raising prowess of the Obama campaign, does ANYONE seriously think McCain would stick to public financing? If you do, I have a fine desert canyon in Louisiana I’d like to sell you.

Let me do a 180 on Michelle Obama. As much as I detest Jimmy Carter, he was at least the beneficiary of a Republican uber-scandal in Watergate. The American people have no such excuse this time. And so, for the first time in my adult life, I am beginning to think that I am ashamed of my fellow Americans as a whole, for this insane desire to experiment with hard-core socialist leftism.

18

Scrapiron Said:
1:14 am

Didn’t a 527 called the AFL/CIO just throw $50 million at O’dumbo? This from an organization that will shift the members retirement to the government. Hey, we stole or spent your dollars so you can live on a half pension, can’t you?

O’dumbo told all the females in the dem party to get over their PMS moment and get to work for him. Was he a pimp in a former life, or maybe in Chicago. Neighborhood organizer? Hookers require organization.

19

Bob Said:
1:33 am

What will be great is when Obama loses after all the money and polls. I’m not ready to give up like some and turn the USA over to Marxist. Fight back.

20

Surabaya Stew Said:
7:49 am

Actually, the real ass here is Bush. Had he not betrayed his party, the conservative movement, and the entire country, Obama would have never stood a chance this year. What I am waiting for is Republican regret that Kerry didn’t win in 2004. What might the GOP be like today if Bush hadn’t been around to screw up these last 3.5 years, and it was John and Thersa muddling through instead?

21

funny man Said:
7:17 pm

The election in my opinion will be very close and yes, it is a contact sport. Both will seek every advantage they can use. Politics aside, you have to credit Obama for building a very effective team. They are young, smart and internet-savvy and McCain’s team has to get moving soon. Liberals rarely get elected if they don’t appear to be tough, best example would have been Bobby Kennedy (had he lived). In fact, I think the Obama team took a lot from Bobby’s playbook. So in that sense he is showing exactly that: I’m going after McCain and I’ll kick his behind. Obama is anything but a tree-hugging, aloof Dukakis look-alike! Even if you don’t like him, you have to respect him if you want to have a chance in November. Conservatives on the other hand have to appear “compassionate” or “caring”. Again, a lot of this is BS but gets you votes. Really, why should I get exited about election moves. That’s part of the game, no surprises there.